Request for the intercession with the Indian government for the release of all Sikh political leaders, including Sirdar Simranjit Singh Mann, who were arrested, on June 14, 2005, for demanding the right to self-determination for the Sikhs and who have bee sign now

Petition to request for the intercession with the Indian government forthe release of all Sikh political leaders, including Sirdar SimranjitSingh Mann, who were arrested, on June 14, 2005, for demanding the rightto self-determination for the Sikhs and who have been tortured, starvedand abused whilst in police custody.

Dear Sir/Madam,We the undersigned urgently request you to intercede with the Indiangovernment to seek the release of former member of the Indian Parliament,Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and other Sikh leaders who were arrested andcharged on 14 June 2005 for expressing their Right to Self determinationat a public rally to commemorate the 21st Anniversary of the June 1984attack by the Indian army on the holiest Sikh shrine of Darbar Sahib,known in the West as the 'Golden Temple', Amritsar, Panjab.

We respectfully ask you to take notice:

That, the health and well being of Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, who suffersfrom a heart condition, has been under serious threat after he wastortured, starved and abused when he was illegally removed from judicialcustody for interrogation at the Ropar police station on 15 June 2005. Hecontinues to be refused medical attention when his medical conditionrequires a periodic blood test. The details of the treatment andcondition of the other Sikh leaders are hitherto undeterminable.

That, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and the other Sikh leaders have beencharged with sedition under section 124A of the Indian Penal Code and withdisrupting communal harmony under section 153A of the Indian PenalCode, for making speeches during the 21st anniversary functions, in whichthey expressed their Right to Self-determination for the Sikhs. Bothcharges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

That, The Right to Self-Determination is enshrined in the UN Covenanton Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social, andCultural Rights. Further, articles 18 & 19 of the Universal Declarationof Human Rights-1948 provide for the right for free speech. Article 19states:- "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression;this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference andto seek, receive and impart information and ideas, through anymedia...". This right is also provided under article 19 of the IndianConstitution.

That, under section 124A, sedition is any act which createsdisaffection towards the government established by law. According to thedictionary, sedition means "the stirring up of a rebellion or revolt against thegovernment in power." The arrested Sikh leader's speeches were focusedon the tragic events of June 1984 and the right to self-determinationfor the 25 million strong Sikh people - 22 million living in India and 3million in the diaspora. The speeches did not call for any unlawful actto be committed. The Supreme Court of India, when quashing a convictionin Balwant Singh vs State of Punjab (1995) held that the mere askingfor Khalistan is not an offence.

That, in their speeches Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and the other Sikhleaders made no reference to any other communal groups or religions hencetheir speeches cannot constitute a disruption of communal harmony undersection 153A of the Indian Penal Code.

That, the levelling of the two charges under the Indian Penal Codeagainst Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and the other Sikh leaders amount to anabuse of process.

That, we respectfully urge your excellency to intercede with the Indiangovernment to release Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and other arrested Sikhleaders who are being punished for expressing their lawful Right to SelfDetermination.

End

To see the dates when and where the petition will be presented: See theURL belowhttp://66.221.45.104/index.asp?c2=/current_petition/petition_date.asp

Created by Ranjit Singh:Voices For Freedom(http://www.voicesforfreedom.org)

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